American Indian Outreach Committee delivers

Sandians donate food and supplies to Zuni Pueblo mobile pantry

truckload of donations — **TRUCKLOAD OF GOOD** — Sandia’s American Indian Outreach Committee members loaded trucks with canned goods, nonperishable food items, water bottles and other supplies to deliver to Zuni Pueblo in early May.

Between May 2-9, more than 200 pounds of beans, 150 pounds of rice and nearly 300 rolls of toilet paper were delivered to Zuni Pueblo by Sandia’s American Indian Outreach Committee. The group also delivered canned goods, facemasks, cases of water and prayers.

poster signed by AIOC members — **SIGNATURE DELIVERY** — Sandia AIOC members signed a poster to accompany the donations they collected and delivered to Zuni Pueblo.

The committee asked Zuni leaders what was needed most that could come from Albuquerque. Monetary donations exceeding $1,200 were collected and shopping promptly commenced.

Items totaling nearly $1,100 were delivered to Zuni’s Emergency Mobile Pantry and are being distributed to elders and pueblo members most in need while under lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping through New Mexico’s hard-hit McKinley County. Leftover cash donations will be given to the Zuni Emergency Mobile Pantry accountant.

“AIOC is so much more than a committee, it is family,” said committee member Robert Yawakie, also a member of Zuni Pueblo. “We are comprised of many nations, pueblos and tribes, yet we share a common bond and are always giving to help our communities.”

AIOC members — **MAKING A DIFFERENCE** — From left, Laurence Brown, Alice Sobczak and Jhana Gearhart (Gorman) showed up to help load donations for delivery to the Zuni Emergency Mobile Pantry.

Sandia LabNews

Sandians donate food and supplies to Zuni Pueblo mobile pantry